15 Ways to Help your Car Pass its MOT Test
Your vehicle is due its annual MOT test, but you are worried that it will fail as it has done so in the past due to lack of servicing or maintenance throughout the year. Sound familiar? It’s strongly advised that you carry out a few easy visual checks on your vehicle which will only take a minute or two to improve the chances of it passing the test.
It has been reported that nearly half of all faults detected during MOTs could have been prevented if the owner of the vehicle regularly carried out a series of simple checks, such as:
- Replacing light bulbs
- Checking the condition of windscreen wipers, washers and mirrors
- Checking tyre condition and pressure
By carrying out these quick and easy maintenance checks, you can save yourself some money as you will be avoiding the most common MOT fails. So, dedicate some time this weekend to checking your vehicle using the following 11 simple ways to help your vehicle pass its MOT.
1. Brake Lights
To check that the rear brake lights in your vehicle are working as they should be, ask a friend to take a look at the back of the vehicle while you press on the brake pedal to ensure they light up fully.
2. Headlights and Indicators
Using the appropriate switches, check that all of the lights in your vehicle are functioning correctly. These include: headlights, rear lights, sidelights, indicators and hazard lights.
3. Mirrors
Your vision using your wing mirrors and rear view mirror must be completely clear and free from any obstructions. Upon close inspection, if you discover that any of your mirrors are broken or damaged, you must get them repaired as soon as possible before your test.
4. Wheels and Tyres
When checking the condition of your vehicle’s wheels and tyres, you must make sure that they are undamaged and in top working order.
When checking the pressure of the tyres, the minimum legal tread must be 1.6mm – any tyres with less than this tread will be considered a fail during an MOT test.
5. Steering
Power steering fluid level must be above the minimum level as shown on the bottle. During the MOT test, your steering wheel will be pushed in several different directions to check its strength and will be closely inspected for any damage to the steering components.
Not only that, the locking device on your steering will be tested to ensure it only locks when the engine is not running for complete safety.
6. Windscreen
Take a close look at the condition of your windscreen to check for any damage which could impair your vision and cause your vehicle to fail its MOT. If you are unsure as to whether your windscreen might need to be repaired or replaced, take a look at our informative guide for more details.
7. Screenwash
Many often overlook the importance of having their screenwash bottle topped up – however, an empty container can cause a vehicle to fail its MOT, so make sure you remember to fill your screenwash bottle up to the correct level.
8. Windscreen Wipers
Closely inspect your windscreen wipers to check for any tears or holes in the rubber which can cause an MOT fail.
9. Horn
Testing your horn is easy – just give it a short blast to check it sounds correctly. If not, you will need to pay a visit to your dealer who can repair or replace it for you.
10. Fuel and Engine Oil
Your fuel and engine oil levels must be sufficiently topped up to the correct amount otherwise you can be turned away from the MOT test.
11. Seats and Seatbelts
You will need to check the movement of the seat by adjusting it forwards and backwards to ensure it is in proper working order.
A fully functional seatbelt can save lives, so it’s imperative to closely inspect the full length of the seatbelt for any damage or wear and tear. Pull sharply on the belt to check that it operates as it should in the case of an emergency.
12. Body
The entire body of the car will be closely inspected for any corrosion or sharp edges during the test, so make sure you check all components – such as seats and doors – prior to your MOT.
13. Number Plate
Your number plate must be completely free from any dirt or debris to ensure it is completely legible.
14. Exhaust System
Check that there are no leaks around your exhaust system and that there are no strange sounds emitting from the pipe when the engine is turned on and the vehicle is driven.
15. Vehicle Emissions
Your vehicle will fail its MOT if its exhaust emissions are too high. The common causes of emission test failures are usually:
- Engine damage
- A faulty control system
- A broken or damaged catalytic converter
Having your car serviced regularly will ensure any of these problems are detected early, so you won’t have to shell out a hefty cost further down the line.
If you have a scheduled MOT test coming up and need to have your windscreen repaired or replaced, look no further than Motorway Windscreens. Safety on the roads is of paramount importance to us, which is why our highly experienced team offer fast, reliable windscreen repair and replacement services to customers throughout the UK, including the Leeds, Grimsby, Sheffield and Doncaster areas.
To find out more about any of our services, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today. Our fully mobile service means we can travel direct to your home or work premises to get you back on the road as quickly as possible.